After NICMAR (PGDM/M.Tech/ACM etc.), GET roles in planning usually evolve into:
- Planning Engineer
- Project Controls Engineer
- Scheduler / Planning Analyst
- Junior Planning Manager
These are core office + site coordination roles, not pure site execution.
- Create baseline schedules using tools like Primavera P6 / MS Project
- Break project into WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
- Prepare:
- Look-ahead plans (weekly/monthly)
- Recovery plans for delays
➡️ This is the main job of a planning engineer
- Track planned vs actual progress
- Identify delays using:
- CPM (Critical Path Method)
- Earned Value Management (EVM)
- Suggest corrective actions
➡️ You basically act as the “time controller” of the project
- Assist in:
- Budget tracking
- Cost control
- Link time (schedule) with cost (budget)
➡️ Many companies combine planning + commercial (project controls) roles
- Prepare:
- Daily/weekly/monthly reports
- Dashboards (Excel / Power BI)
- Present data to senior management
➡️ Example: dashboards, reports, presentations
- Coordinate with:
- Site engineers
- Procurement team
- Design team
- Contractors
➡️ Ensures all departments follow the schedule
- Use tools like:
- Primavera P6
- MS Project
- Power BI
- Exposure to:
- New construction technologies
- Automation / digital monitoring (e.g., drones)
Companies hiring NICMAR grads expect:
- Strong Primavera / MS Project
- Good Excel + data analysis
- Understanding of:
- Construction lifecycle (EPC projects)
- WBS, CPM, EVM
- Communication + coordination skills
- Mix of:
- Head office (planning & reporting)
- Site visits (progress verification)
- Less physically intensive than site execution roles
